Ear-muffler.



No. 889,640 PATENTED JUNE 2, 1908.

4 T. H. SHERMAN.

EAR MUFFLER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.1B,1907.

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T a T/V E/VTOR W JTNESSES ATTORNEM? THE NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, D. c.

THOMAS H. SHERMAN, OF TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN.

EAR-MUFFLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2, 1908.

Application filed. April 18, 1907. Serial No. 369,035.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS H. SHERMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Traverse City, in the county of Grand Traverse and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Ear-Muflier, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to combined ear and head mufliers and has for its object to provide a comparatively simple and inexpensive device of this character capable of being readily attached to or detached from the sweat band of a hat or other head gear and which serves to protect the back of the head and ears of the wearer from the wind or snow in cold or inclement weather.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combined ear and head muffler including a relatively thick body portion formed of fur, wool or other suitable material and provided with a backing of silk or other relatively thin material, the latter being extended beyond the upper edge of the body portion and provided with a depending supporting strip adapted to engage the sweat band of a hat thereby to support the muffler in position on the head of the wearer.

Further objects and advantages will appear in the following description, it being understood that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of constructionmay be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combined ear and head muffler constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the head and ear mufiier detached. Fig. 4 is a planview illustrating a modified form of the invention especially designed for use as an ear muflier only. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the device used as an eye shade or shield.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of the figures of the drawings.

The improved muflier forming the subject matter of the present invention is principally designed for protecting the ears and head of the wearer against the action of the elements and by way of illustration is shown in posi- .tion depending from a hat of the ordinary construction, and indicated at 5.

The muffier consists of an elongated body portion 6 formed of fur, wool, astrakhan and other material and adapted to form a cover for the ears and back of the head of the wearer, said body portion preferably having its opposite ends curved or rounded, as indicated at 7 and its lower longitudinal edge concaved at 8.

The body portion is reinforced and strengthened by the provision of a backing 9 preferably formed of silk or similar relatively thin material which may be secured to the body portion by a row of stitches 10 so as to give the mufiier a neat attractive appearance.

Theintermediate portion of the backing 9 is folded laterally over the upper longitudinal edge 11 of the body portion 6 and is secured to the inner face of the body portion by a row of transverse stitches 12 thus serving to reinforce and strengthen the upper edge of the body portion and prevent the fabric from raveling.

The backing 9 at the transverse stitches 12 is extended vertically beyond the adjacent upper edge of the body portion and is folded laterally upon itself to form a terminal hem 13 to which is stitched or otherwisesecured a depending supporting strip 14 formed of celluloid, mica or other suitable material and Iadapted to engage the sweat band 15 of the By forming the upper or free end of the backing 9 with the terminal hem 13 the supporting strip 14 is offset with respect to the free end of the backing so as to permit the supporting strip to be readily positioned between the hat and sweat band so that the free end 16 of the backing will bear against the exposed face of the sweat band and thus permit the muffler to be supported in position on the head without discomfort to the wearer.

In using the device the supporting strip 14 is interposed between the hat and sweat band, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings after which the hat is placed in position on the head of the wearer with the fur or wool face of the body portion bearing against the ears and back of the head, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings thus efiectually protecting the ears and back of the head against the action of the elements.

In order to remove the device it is merely necessary to exert a slight upward pull on the hem 13 when the supporting strip will be released from engagement with the sweat band thus permitting the muffler to be readily detached from the head.

In Fig' 4 of the drawings there is illustrated a modifiedform of the inventioncin which the body portion is formed in two sections 17 and 18 which serve as a shield or protector for the ears.

A further modification is illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings in which the body portion 19 is formed of mica, celluloid or similar transparent material so that the device may be used as an eye shade or shield for chaffeurs, bicycle riders and other persons.

It will of course be understood that the mufflers may be made in different sizes and shapes and that the body portion may be made of wool, fur or other suitable material capable of protecting the ears and back of the head of the wearer from the action of the elements.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. A muffler including a body portion, a backing covering the outer face of the body portion and formed of a single length of flexible material extending the entire height of the body of the mufiier and having its intermediate portion folded over the upper longitudinal edge of said body portion and thence extended downwardly and secured to the inner face of the body portion by a row of stitching, the upper longitudinal edge of the backing being extended vertically beyond the row of stitching to produce a flexible connecting web the free edge of which is provided with a continuous depending supporting strip disposed on the outer face of the connecting web and adapted to engage the sweat band of a hat.

2. A muffler including a body portion having continuous upper and lower longitudinal edges and provided with a roughened inner face, a backing covering the outer face of the body portion and formed of a single length of fabric extending the entire height of the body of the mufiier and having its intermediate portion folded over the upper longitudinal edge of said body portion and thence extended downwardly and secured to the inner face of the body portion by a row. of stitching, the upper longitudinal edge of. the backing being extended vertically beyond the row of stitching to produce a flexible connecting web, the free edge of which is provided with a continuous depending supporting strip extendin the entire length of the body portion and disposed on the outer face of the backing for engagement with the sweat band of a hat.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS H. SHERMAN. Witnesses:

CARL Noni), OHA'RLEs I. HUNTER. 

